He said: “There is no other way to get around it - other than trying to cling onto the fence and climb past it so it is a nightmare for parents with pushchairs.”

Nearly £12,500 has been granted to the project to reconstruct the path.

Volunteers from Cuckfield Baptist Church will take responsibility for clearing the footpath's ditches once the work is finished.

Pete Bradbury, county council member for Cuckfield and Lucastes, said: “It's important that we do all we can to encourage children to walk, cycle and scooter to and from school and we will continue to press ahead with improvements in Cuckfield.”